Tim Tebow facts for kids
Tebow with the Denver Broncos in 2012
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| No. 15 | |||||||||||||||||
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| Position: | Quarterback | ||||||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||
| Born: | August 14, 1987 Makati, Philippines |
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| Height: | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | ||||||||||||||||
| Weight: | 255 lb (116 kg) | ||||||||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||||||||
| High school: | Nease (Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, U.S.) | ||||||||||||||||
| College: | Florida (2006–2009) | ||||||||||||||||
| NFL Draft: | 2010 / Round: 1 / Pick: 25 | ||||||||||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||||||||||
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| Player stats at PFR | |||||||||||||||||
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College Football Hall of Fame
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Timothy Richard Tebow (born August 14, 1987) is a former American football quarterback. He played in the National Football League (NFL) for three seasons, mainly with the Denver Broncos. Before the NFL, Tebow played college football for the Florida Gators. He was the first player in his second year of college to win the Heisman Trophy. He also helped his team win two national championships in 2006 and 2008.
After college, the Broncos picked Tebow in the first round of the 2010 NFL draft. He became their starting quarterback in 2011. He led the team to a division title and a playoff win. His habit of kneeling in prayer on the field became known as "Tebowing." After his football career, Tebow played minor league baseball for the New York Mets from 2016 to 2021. He also works as a college football analyst for ESPN. In 2023, Tebow was added to the College Football Hall of Fame.
Contents
Early Life and High School Football
Tim Tebow was born in the Philippines to American parents. His parents, Pamela and Robert, were missionaries there. When Tim was three, his family moved to Jacksonville, Florida. He is the youngest of five children. Tim and his siblings were all taught at home by their parents. They learned a lot about their family's Christian beliefs. Tim has dyslexia, which means he learns differently.
Tebow started playing high school football as a tight end. He later moved to Allen D. Nease High School to play quarterback. Even though he was homeschooled, Florida law allowed him to play for his local high school team.
As a junior, Tebow became well-known for his strong running and throwing skills. He once played a whole half of a game with a broken leg bone. He even scored a touchdown during that time! He was named Florida's Player of the Year. In his senior year, he led the Nease Panthers to a state championship. He also won Florida's Mr. Football award. He played in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, which features the best high school players.
College Football Career
Many colleges wanted Tebow to play for them. He chose to go to the University of Florida and play for the Florida Gators. He was a key backup player when Florida won the national championship in 2006. In 2007, he became the starting quarterback and won the Heisman Trophy. He led the Gators to another championship in 2008. He was team captain in 2008 and 2009.
Playing for the Gators
In 2006, Tebow was a backup quarterback. He scored a touchdown on his very first play in college. He also helped the Gators win the 2007 BCS National Championship Game. He threw for one touchdown and ran for another.
In 2007, Tebow became the starting quarterback. He set many records for the University of Florida and the Southeastern Conference (SEC). He set the SEC record for rushing touchdowns in a season with 20. He also set a record for total touchdowns (passing and rushing) with 55. He won the Heisman Trophy that year, becoming the first sophomore to do so. He also won the Davey O'Brien Award for the best quarterback.
In 2008, Tebow led the Gators to a 12–1 record. After a tough loss, he gave a famous speech known as "The Promise." He promised that he and the team would work harder. They did not lose another game that season. He broke the school record for rushing touchdowns, passing Emmitt Smith. The Gators won the SEC Championship and then the 2009 BCS National Championship.
Tebow decided to return for his senior season in 2009. He continued to break records. He broke the SEC career record for rushing touchdowns, passing Herschel Walker. In his last college game, the 2010 Sugar Bowl, he played amazingly. He completed 31 of 35 passes for 482 yards and three touchdowns. He graduated from the University of Florida in December 2009.
College Records and Awards
By the end of his college career, Tebow held many records. He had five NCAA records, 14 SEC records, and 28 University of Florida records. He was the SEC's all-time leader in career passing efficiency and rushing touchdowns.
Some of his major awards include:
- 2007: Heisman Trophy Winner, Sporting News College Football Player of the Year, Davey O'Brien Award, Maxwell Award, AP College Football Player of the Year.
- 2008: Maxwell Award (second time), Manning Award, SEC Offensive Player of the Year.
- 2009: Senior CLASS Award, SEC Offensive Player of the Year.
Professional Football Career
Tim Tebow was chosen by the Denver Broncos in the first round of the 2010 NFL draft. He was the 25th player picked overall. Many people debated his potential as an NFL quarterback.
Denver Broncos Years
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Tebow signed a five-year contract with the Broncos. He quickly became very popular. His jersey was the top-selling jersey in the NFL in 2010.
In his first NFL game as a starter in December 2010, he rushed for a 40-yard touchdown. This was the longest touchdown run for a quarterback in Broncos history. His first win came a week later against the Houston Texans. He helped the Broncos come back from a 17–0 deficit to win 24–23.
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In 2011, Tebow became the Broncos' starting quarterback. He led the team to many exciting comeback victories. One famous game was against the Miami Dolphins, where the Broncos came back from 15–0 down to win in overtime. He also led a game-winning drive against the New York Jets with less than a minute left.
In the playoffs, Denver hosted the Pittsburgh Steelers. Tebow threw for a career-high 316 yards and two touchdowns. He threw an 80-yard touchdown pass in overtime to win the game. This win was a big moment for the Broncos and Tebow.
Later NFL Teams
After the 2011 season, Tebow was traded to the New York Jets. He spent one year there as a backup quarterback. He was later released by the Jets in 2013.
He then signed with the New England Patriots in 2013. He played in some preseason games but was released before the regular season started. In 2015, he signed a one-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles. He competed for a spot but was released after the preseason.
In 2021, Tebow returned to the NFL briefly with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He signed as a tight end, a different position, but was released after one preseason game.
Broadcasting and Filmmaking Career
In December 2013, Tebow started a new career as a college football analyst for ESPN. He is a co-host on SEC Nation, a pre-game show. He also appears on other ESPN programs. His contract allows him to still pursue playing sports.
Tebow has also hosted TV shows. He hosted the second season of Home Free, a reality show about home renovation. He also hosted Million Dollar Mile, a competition show. In 2019, Tebow was an executive producer and actor in his first movie, Run the Race. This film is an inspirational sports drama with a football theme.
Professional Baseball Career
| Tim Tebow | |||
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Tim Tebow getting ready for a hit in 2017
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| Left fielder | |||
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| debut | |||
| April 6, 2017, for the Columbia Fireflies | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| July 21, 2019, for the Syracuse Mets | |||
| MILB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .223 | ||
| Hits | 210 | ||
| Home runs | 18 | ||
| Runs batted in | 107 | ||
| Teams | |||
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In 2016, Tebow announced he wanted to play professional baseball. He had not played baseball full-time since high school. He held an open tryout for all 30 Major League Baseball teams.
Playing for the Mets
On September 8, 2016, Tebow signed a minor league contract with the New York Mets. He hit a home run on his very first pitch in an instructional league game. He then played for the Scottsdale Scorpions in the Arizona Fall League.
In 2017, Tebow started playing for the Columbia Fireflies, a Class A team. He hit a home run in his first game with them. Later that year, he was promoted to the St. Lucie Mets, a higher-level team. He also hit a home run in his first game with St. Lucie.
In 2018, the Mets promoted Tebow to the Binghamton Rumble Ponies, a Double-A team. Again, he hit a home run in his first at-bat. He was even named to the Eastern League All-Star Game. However, his season ended early due to a broken bone in his hand.
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In 2019, Tebow played for the Syracuse Mets, a Triple-A team. He hit three home runs in a six-game stretch, which was his best performance. His season ended early again due to a finger injury.
In February 2020, Tebow hit his first major league spring training home run. On February 17, 2021, Tebow announced his retirement from professional baseball.
Sports Team Ownership
Tim Tebow is also involved in sports team ownership. In July 2023, he became a co-owner of a new hockey team called the Tahoe Knight Monsters. This team is part of the ECHL league. He is also an investor in a soccer club called Sporting Club Jacksonville.
"Tebowing"
"Tebowing" is a word used to describe kneeling on one knee in prayer. It's like how Tim Tebow often knelt and prayed during his football games. The phrase became popular after a fan posted a picture of himself and friends mimicking Tebow's pose. This happened after a Broncos' comeback victory in 2011.
A website was created where people could share their own "Tebowing" pictures from all over the world. The site received millions of views. In 2012, Tebow was given the trademark for "Tebowing." This means he officially owns the name. "Tebowing" was even included as a feature in the Madden NFL 13 video game.
Personal Life and Philanthropy
On January 10, 2019, Tim Tebow announced his engagement to Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters, who was Miss Universe 2017. They were married in South Africa on January 20, 2020. Their daughter was born in July 2025.
Tebow is well-known for his strong Christian faith. He has preached and helped with medical care in the Philippines. In the United States, he shares his faith in schools and prisons. He is a strong supporter of faith-based values.
Tebow also does a lot of charity work. During college, he helped create "First and 15" to raise money for an orphanage in the Philippines. He also raised money for a children's hospital and trips for kids. In 2010, he started the Tim Tebow Foundation.
In 2011, the Tebow Foundation and CURE International announced plans to build a children's hospital in the Philippines. The Tebow CURE Hospital in Davao City helps children with physical conditions that can be fixed with surgery. The hospital also has a "Timmy's Playroom." The Tim Tebow Foundation also hosts "Night to Shine," a special prom night for people with developmental and intellectual disabilities.
Images for kids
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Tebow in 2007
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Tebow playing against the Florida State Seminoles in 2009
See also
In Spanish: Tim Tebow para niños
